Nearly three in four lawyers (73%) say they plan to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in their legal work within the next year, according to one Wolters Kluwer report. While many legal professionals feel prepared for the impact of AI, others may wonder how they can harness the technology for themselves, in addition to the options that are out there. From the various uses of AI in the legal sector to the immense value that the technology can bring, the innovative applications of AI have the potential to transform legal professions — especially when it comes to streamlining time-consuming and labor-intensive processes.Streamlining document analysisAccording to the 2023 Future Ready Lawyer Report, those who are most likely to integrate GenAI into their legal work over the next year plan to utilize the technology for reviewing and analyzing legal documents, performing basic tasks, and going through electronic data. This can enable those in legal professions to save time on tedious, time-consuming tasks while redirecting their energy to more important elements of work. The American Bar Association (ABA) also highlights the many advantages associated with the use of AI for the sake of automatic document comparison and organization, noting that this enables attorneys to identify gaps in their documents as well as their legal analysis more quickly. One example provided by the ABA involves AI-driven contract analysis programs, which have learned through repeated analysis. As a result, such programs have the ability to identify missing terms or definitions in known types of contracts. “Similarly, document analysis can uncover a logical connection that hasn’t yet been firmly established in a legal memorandum, allowing attorneys to revisit and strengthen their weak points,” the ABA further highlights. One innovative example of how AI can be used for document analysis can be found with the efforts by the Ministry of Labor (MoL) in Qatar. Faced with the task of manually analyzing volumes of employment-related documents, the MoL in Qatar experiences significant challenges, with the endeavor resulting in time-consuming and labor-intensive work that is also prone to human error. AI-driven solutions can play a key role however, can not only cut down on human error by streamlining the process with accuracy, The MoL’s project involves three key phases, from a proposal evaluation in January of 2024 to a proof of concept and pilot implementation in the third quarter of 2024, and “a full-scale rollout within a year.” With advantages such as the automation and enhancement of accuracy, AI-powered solutions have the potential to transform how an organization works.Fact-finding, research, and e-discovery

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According to a survey by LexisNexis, half of all lawyers think generative AI will “significantly transform their business,” while 92% believe it will have at least some impact. The Forbes article goes on to address several areas in which AI can benefit the legal sector, with the first point diving into the advantages of using generative AI to work on tedious tasks like exploration, fact-finding, and research. “In this area of legal work, generative AI can be used to find relevant laws and rulings amongst pages of regulations, search through databases of case law and precedents, and review evidence.” In doing so, artificial intelligence can enable legal professionals to save an immense amount of time that can be redirected towards more pressing matters.The use of AI for legal research is noted to be one of the most common ways that legal professionals use GenAI in their practice, according to Bloomberg Law. Newer AI legal research tools make use of technologies such as natural language processing and machine learning, though research is far from being the only role that AI can have in the legal sector. Bloomberg Law goes on to identify the technology’s advantages when used for the electronic discovery (also known as e-discovery) process. Lawyers identify and organize electronically stored information (ESI) typically in response to a request for production in a lawsuit or investigation. According to Bloomberg Law, ESI involves a wide range of elements, from audio and video files to social media, documents, and beyond. Like with general research, the e-discovery process typically requires an immense amount of time and dedication. Enhancing client relationshipsAI-driven tools and solutions present a variety of ways in which the technology can be used to free up valuable time for legal professionals while streamlining tedious processes. However, the technology can also be used to enhance client relationships. One Forbes post points out the value that AI-powered virtual assistants can have, noting that they can streamline interaction between an attorney and the client. In turn, the technology can boost efficiency by making appointments, providing reminders for follow-up communication, and gathering information — all the while providing 24/7 access to the firm through the assistant online. Chatbots are another great example of AI already at work, providing assistance to basic inquiries and redirecting potential clients at any time of day. While chatbots are unable to provide a personalized response, they can give standard answers that can be helpful when it comes to basic concerns.Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, bringing to light tools such as ChatGPT that can benefit a variety of sectors around the world. For legal professionals, however, AI-driven solutions can lighten the workload in more ways than one — from GenAI’s uses in fact-finding and research to how such technology can be used to transform the document analyzation process and enhance client relationships.